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“The first show we ever did was in the ’70s,” Ritu Kumar tells me. “And now, I’m here passing the baton to Amrish, who’s taken it even further with layered craft techniques and put it into a very modern collection. I’m really proud.” For her, it’s a time to pause and reflect. “I’ve been very blessed to have taken this amazing journey,” she says. “And every morning, for at least 15 minutes, I thank whatever fate brought me here.”

Ahead, Ritu and Amrish Kumar tell Vogue India about the making of the collection, her upcoming book and what’s next for Indian couture.

Vogue India: Where did this collection begin?

Amrish Kumar: Around three years ago, I went to research Dhakai jamdanis in Kolkata, through Weavers Studio and met this incredible woman who does amazing work. At the time, I had no idea where it would lead. But that’s how it begins. Long before anything comes to life on the runway, it’s just research. You go deep into things, and you start following rabbit holes. You might see something, or dive into a specific craft or end up in a craftsman’s studio.

If, like me, the end of the day brings a rush of heart-pumping anxiety (a packed train platform will do that), this stress-eliminating solution might be for you. Because, when certain things convene–commuting, hot weather, wrangling small children, trying to exercise, looking after pets and the plethora of other stressors we experience, racing thoughts and anxiety can quickly follow.

Yes, there are supplements and lifestyle tweaks that can help, like avoiding caffeine in the afternoon and managing your blood sugar to avoid the troughs and valleys that bring with them panicky, anxious feelings. The quickest solution I’ve found, though, is to stick my legs in the air. Really. t’s a pose called legs up the wall and its benefits, from calming the nervous system to coaxing sleep, tend to build slowly, then all at once.

Popular among both yogis and social media wellness fans, putting your legs up against a wall can help calm your nervous system and drain stagnant lymph and fluid that accumulates in the lower limbs. Simple, free and oddly comforting, there’s a reason I haven’t skipped a night doing it.

What is the legs-up-the-wall pose?

“Legs up the wall–also known by its Sanskrit name viparita karani – is a deeply restorative yoga pose that can help promote lymphatic flow and enhance blood circulation, especially in the legs and feet,” Lelani Loubser, a functional medicine practitioner at The Hvn, Knightsbridge, explains. It consists simply of lying with your back flat against the ground and legs at a right angle, flush against a wall.

“It activates the parasympathetic nervous system, which promotes ‘rest and digest’ and can lead to better sleep quality. It also helps gently decompress the spine, which can provide relief from lower back pain and pelvic tension,” Loubser continues.

How long do you need to stay in this position to reap the benefits?

The big draw of this method is that you only need to commit between five and 20 minutes a day to see and feel the results. I like to stack it with wearing my red light mask and either listening to a self-hypnosis session, deep breathing or reading my Kindle. By the time the 10 to 20 minutes are up, I feel calm enough to slip into bed and drift off fairly quickly.

Is there a best time of day to do this exercise?

There are many “best times”, says Loubser. “In the mornings, it can gently wake up the lymphatic and digestive system. In the middle of the day, it can be used to relieve tension from prolonged periods of sitting and standing. And, in the evenings, it can be used to calm the nervous system and promote better quality sleep.” So, there’s really not a bad time to do it.

Cosmic tip: Stand up, chin up, stand tall, move on.

You said yes because you were open to this long-term game. You saw potential, you saw happiness, you saw growth, and you saw safety and love. However, Libra, for you to feel like you are simply floating through space, you must find your anchor. Pour into another’s cup but from the overflow of your own. Safeguard your interests while also being genuinely helpful to another. Things may seem like they are falling apart; however, they aren’t.

Cosmic tip: Look at the stars, look how they shine for you—and everything you do.

There are so many things you could be doing right now, Scorpio. And oh, the choices are tough. However, you see, you make the best decisions when you come from a deeply rooted space within. Yes, your time to set the stage on fire will shortly arrive—but darling, first, you need to check in with yourself about what you would like to do and how. The easiest way forward will be to not try to make sense of it all now and simply trust that gut.

Cosmic tip: Slowly, but surely, you will find the shore.

Step out of this circle now. Sag, your life looks extremely hopeful, but you will only spot your ships if you continue to gaze into the horizon. Your magic lies in your ability to be everywhere all at once; however, if you can’t be as such physically anymore, you still can let your mind jog onto paths that you are capable of venturing into. Build your life one step at a time. Your time is now.

Cosmic tip: This is your time for breakthroughs and immaculate expansions.

Thanks but no thanks—make this your mantra, Capricorn. Yes, you want to do this for a long time; in fact, you are engineered for a marathon, not a sprint. However, you can only keep moving forward if you realise and accept that you simply cannot carry truckloads of baggage into space. Like the rocke, —you too must shed parts that have served their purpose—people pleasing and putting yourself last must be the first to walk out of the window.

After July 11’s Stag Full Moon, which brought a sensation of feeling anchored, astrologer Léa Baixo tells us what the following full moon in Aquarius on August 9 will bring. “Every full moon has an energetic colour, which depends on the sign it’s in. Aquarius is an air sign, linked to freedom, vision of the future, independence and the collective. It is non-conformist, rebellious, creative and profoundly humanist.” A full moon in Aquarius therefore invites you to :

• Break invisible chains
• Take a fresh look at life
• Break out of the boxes you’ve boxed yourself into
• Reconnect with your true nature, even if it’s ‘out of the ordinary’
• Imagine a different future and start building it.

This is a lunation that can shake you up if you cling to what no longer suits you. Aquarius doesn’t like pretence, rigid conventions or fixed social roles. It comes to shake things up, refresh and liberate. It also offers the opportunity to improve your living conditions, provided you’re ready to change something radically.

What impact does the full moon of August 9 have on each zodiac sign?

Aries

This full moon propels you into the future. It awakens your great ideals, the projects that go beyond you, the causes you’re ready to commit yourself to. You might also realise—and want to fix—that you’ve strayed from your vision, or that you no longer believe in your power to make an impact. You may feel the need to change your circle, to move away from superficial friendships and surround yourself with people who share your vibration.

Practical advice

• Reactivate a long-held dream: revive an abandoned idea or reconnect with a project you thought was “too crazy”
• Contact people who vibrate on the same frequency and co-create

Imagine the full moon asking you the following question: Do those around you nourish your vision of the world to come?

Taurus

The full moon acts as a life mission assessment. It questions your place in the world and what you want to build. It brings to light what is at odds with your soul in your career or public image. It invites you to step out of the role you’re playing and into who you really are. In concrete terms, this could be a professional crisis, a project coming to an end, a radical desire to change direction or an unexpected opportunity to embody your true role.

Practical advice

• Rewrite your life mission in simple words, but aligned with your heart.
• Take action in line with it: contact someone, update your profile, give yourself permission to say “this is not for me anymore”

You might have heard of argan oil and be familiar with rosemary oil, but how much do you know about batana oil for hair growth? It’s a nutrient-packed oil that’s extracted from the nuts of the palm tree. Native to Honduras and other Central and South American countries, it is rich in fatty acids and has been used for centuries to encourage thicker, shinier strands and a healthier scalp.

To help you understand all about batana oil for hair growth and why you might want to add it to your routine, we enlisted the help of trichologist Hannah Gaboardi who answers all your burning questions. Read on to discover more.

Does it promote hair growth?

“Although batana oil is rich in nourishing ingredients like fatty acids and antioxidants, it does not promote hair growth in the same way clinical treatments do,’ says Gabpardi. “It is known to nourish and improve the overall appearance of the hair shaft, helping to reduce frizz and brittleness. However, there is no scientific evidence to support batana oil as a treatment for stimulating follicle growth. While it can help create a healthier scalp environment, actual hair regrowth is typically achieved through anti-androgenic medications or clinically proven treatments designed specifically for hair loss.”

₹3,380

Amazing Organics – Raw Batana Oil for hair growth

How is it different from other oils such as rosemary oil?

“Batana oil differs from other oils in both texture and function,” explains Gaboardi. “It can be applied directly to the hair and scalp and acts more like a deep-conditioning hair mask, delivering rich moisture to the hair shaft and scalp. Whereas oils like rosemary are essential oils that must be diluted and are typically used on the scalp only. Rosemary oil is intended to stimulate hair growth and reduce inflammation by increasing blood flow to the follicles.”

What hair type is it good for?

“Batana oil is best for those with dry, brittle, or chemically damaged hair, as it helps restore elasticity and softness,” Gaboardi adds. “Due to its thick, buttery consistency, it’s ideal for thick, curly, or coily hair types, which absorb heavier oils more easily. It can also benefit individuals with flaky or dry scalps, as the vitamin E and fatty acids in batana oil help reduce dandruff when used correctly.”

Who shouldn’t use it?

“Batana oil is not recommended for people with fine or oily hair, as its heavy texture can weigh the hair down and make it greasy,” says Gaboardi. “Those with sensitive scalps should also use caution – if not washed out properly, batana oil can clog pores, disrupt the natural hair cycle, and in some cases contribute to sebum buildup or seborrheic dermatitis. If your hair is thin or damaged, it’s best to avoid applying it to the scalp and instead use it only on the mid-lengths and ends.”

Will it make my hair greasy?

“Yes, batana oil has a thick, butter-like texture, which can leave the hair feeling greasy or heavy, particularly on fine or straight hair,” says Gabordi. “However, curly, coily, or thicker textures tend to absorb the oil more easily, making it less likely to leave a greasy residue when used properly.”

How long does it take to see results?

“While batana oil is not proven to stimulate hair growth, many users report noticeable improvement in hair texture and strength after 4 to 6 weeks of consistent use,” says Gaboardi. “When applied weekly as a deep conditioning treatment, it helps reduce frizz and will also reduce breakage and chemical damage. Batana oil will help nourish and strengthen the hair shaft, however hair density and hair growth can only be achieved using the correct medication which would be prescribed by a professional or clinical treatments.”

If you’re tired of mascaras that smudge before your second coffee or refuse to come off without a fight, tubing mascaras might just be your next makeup essential.

A regular mascara paints your lash surface, adding a layer of pigment, whereas tubing mascaras wrap each lash in a flexible polymer, offering weightless definition and serious staying power. They won’t flake, smear or migrate under your eyes, and best of all, they come off with just warm water. No rubbing your eyes with micellar water until your eyelashes start to fall off.

But you need to be quick while using a tubing mascara as it builds around the lashes quickly, and layering can get a little tricky.

Tubing mascaras aren’t a volume overload or dramatically lengthening. They’re for people who want their lashes to look lifted and unbothered from 9am to midnight. If your makeup philosophy is somewhere between low effort and high-functioning, these are our favourites on the market.

Too Faced Ribbon Wrapped Lash Mascara

Designed for drama, this tubing mascara wraps each lash in glossy black pigment and adds major length and lift. The curved brush hugs every lash—even the short, stubborn ones—and keeps curls defined for up to 24 hours.

M·A·C Extended Play Gigablack Lash

This lightweight, ophthalmologist-tested mascara grips even the tiniest lashes with its slim brush. Expect clean definition, long-lasting lift and a true black finish that won’t smudge or flake for up to 16 hours.

Glossier Lash Slick

One of Glossier’s bestsellers, this lengthening mascara delivers a fluttery, natural-looking finish. The formula uses vegan biotin and tiny fibres to coat each lash without weighing them down. Smudge-resistant, water-resistant and virtually foolproof for everyday wear.

Tarte Tartelette™ XL Tubing Mascara

Tarte’s extra-large tubing mascara does more than just define. Powered by the brand’s TLC complex (niacinamide, biotin, panthenol), it conditions lashes while adding length and structure. Ideal if you want flutter and function in one.

Clinique Lash Power Mascara

Fragrance-free and safe for sensitive eyes, this 24-hour mascara uses a thermal-sensitive formula that only budges with warm water. The slim brush defines even the smallest lashes without clumps, smudges or irritation.

e.l.f Cosmetics Lash XTNDR

She doesn’t tell stories about rebellion. There’s no gritty backstory, no watershed moment. Instead, she talks about her mother’s puran poli. “Every time I have it, I feel like she’s gotten even better at making it,” she grins. It’s a specific kind of love measured not in hugs or pep talks, but in ghee ratios and jaggery levels. I nod, thinking of the foods that mothered me when people couldn’t.

Bollywood (and society) tends to sort women into neat binaries—high-glamour sirens on one end, reliably grounded heroines on the other. It leaves little room for ambiguity, for someone to wake up and get an eyebrow piercing or chop their hair into a bob without first checking if the audience will approve. Palatability often feels less like a choice and more like career insurance. Sharvari fits effortlessly into this agreeable, approachable mould, but it begs the question: What if she wanted to shift registers when she’s built her identity around being easy to like? For now, her experimental side finds representation in her oeuvre, already spanning comedy, drama, horror and action. Maybe we’ll get a pink-haired Sharvari soon—on our screens at least.

I tell her about my secret hobby: mentally collecting interesting names. I mention that ‘Sharvari’ has a satisfying mouthfeel. She responds without missing a beat. “For me, it’s memes. I doomscroll all the time. I’ve got different friend groups I send different memes to—Marathi ones, work-related ones, family stuff. I love it.”

Fame has a way of folding people into their own reflection, but Sharvari seems determined not to lose herself in the process. She speaks thoughtfully about the risk of mistaking perception for identity. “If I wake up feeling low, I let myself feel it. I don’t force confidence or try to look a certain way every single day. I push myself hard at work, but the rest of the time, I try to be gentle with myself.”

Five years ago, she thought she had to plan everything. Now she knows she doesn’t. Five years from now, she hopes she still has her sense of humour. And I wonder if the real skill isn’t just showing up, but showing up like this. Thoughtfully, warmly, without visible calculation. It’s hard to resist and harder still to dismiss. “Whether it’s work, friendships or collaborations, I put a lot of love and care into what I do,” Sharvari tells me. And somehow, despite every cynical instinct, I find myself believing her.

Credits:
Head of Editorial Content: Rochelle Pinto
Photographer: Sarang Gupta
Videographer: Shiv Khandelvwal
Stylist: Ruhani Singh
Hair: Aanchal Morwani, Agency: Versis Entertainment
Makeup: Riddhima Sharma, Agency: Entourage Talents
Bookings Editor: Aliza Fatma
Sr. Designer: Shagun Jangid
Entertainment Director: Megha Mehta
Senior Entertainment Editor (Consultant): Rebecca Gonsalves
Production: CutLoose Productions
Assisted by: Garvika Khanna (Styling); Sahil Pupala (Hair); Anna Mehta (Bookings)

Also read:

Lisa Haydon: “If the only messaging of my life is that I’m good-looking, I would feel like I have failed”

Sonam Kapoor: “I don’t have personal opinions on people anymore”

Sobhita Dhulipala and Naga Chaitanya Akkineni’s priorities have changed since they got married

Rebellion without a cause is chaos, Pisces. And your guides urge you to release this autopilot version of your life, where you dive in to save yourself or others, and simply focus on what you need for your mental peace in the long run, no definitions, no past beliefs, no limitations — just you and your thoughts. You have no idea what works beneath the surface, Aries, so while you may be fretting about surface-level stuff, your guides draw your attention towards making your roots stronger, understanding how your energy, mind, and circumstances all stem from a common root that holds it all together. Yes, it may feel tough standing up for yourself in times when either no one can see things clearly, or simply choosing what you can feel is the right thing. From emotional fulfilment emerge your other desires and manifestations, Gem. You are scaling, shedding, and emerging from your hibernation, to say the least. Now here’s the thing — your treasure chest right here, it’s here for you no matter what, but the secret lies in your energy. It is not a fight-for-love kind of love you revel in; it is a nurturing embrace that makes your love feel like warm vanilla cupcakes, Cancer. There may be many aspects in your life that may be making you feel like you are at loggerheads with your own timeline. However, your guides applaud your decision to emerge victorious at all costs—not through brute force, but through love and kindness, even one you dole out for yourself.

Read on for what the stars have in store for you and make sure you check out your sun, moon, and rising signs for the complete picture.

You have no idea what works beneath the surface, Aries, so while you may be fretting about surface-level stuff, your guides draw your attention towards making your roots stronger —understanding how your energy, mind, and circumstances all stem from a common root that holds it all together. Yes, it may feel tough standing up for yourself in times when either no one can see things clearly, or simply choosing what you can feel is the right thing. This is your gentle cosmic reminder that no matter what, when you are ready to look up, the skies will be clear and your bed will feel warm again.